Response to Decision on Corrupt Practices Act

On June 25, the U.S. Supreme Court doubled down on its Citizens United decision, throwing out Montana's Corrupt Practices Act without even hearing the evidence in the case. The decision is a major blow to democracy. For nearly one hundred years, our Corrupt Practices Act has served Montana well, creating a system of clean and fair elections. But with the recent decision, big money trumped the people of Montana.

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 25, 2012

For more information: CB Pearson 406-544-0032

Slim Majority of US Supreme Court Chooses Corruption Over Fair ElectionsMontana Initiative 166 Passage Even More Important

“Unfortunately, the US Supreme Court chose corruption over fair elections today, ignoring Montana facts and history with its 1912 Corrupt Practices Act.

It is a good bet that Montana elections will no longer be for Montanans and fair, but instead will be funded by outside groups who do not care about our history and our people.

By this action, the Court chose to double down on its disastrous Citizens United decision, refusing to even a consider a Montana court's finding that the state can ban corporate political spending because of the corruption that inevitably follows it.

Montanans aren't the sort of people who sit still for this kind of outrage, even when it comes from our nation's highest court.

Montanans know that corporations aren’t people. They do not breathe, they do not have children, they do not die fighting in wars for our country, and they do not vote in our elections.

This November, Montana voters will have the chance to clarify that corporations are not people, that money is not speech, and once again act to get big money out of our electionsby voting for I-166. The people of Montana need to speak on this important issue and tell all of our elected representatives to honor the wishes of Montanans to have fair elections.

All of Montana elected leaders need to stand together to defend our fair elections process and to fight for our right to have elections that are of, by, and for the people.

We hope this offensive Court's ruling is a flash point for a national prairie fire to overturn Citizens United and affirm that in America, "we the people," not "we the corporations," are in charge.

We ask that all of Montana join with us to fight for fair elections.”

More information is available at www.StandWithMontanans.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StandWithMontanans, on Twitter, @STANDwMONTANANS, and by calling (406) 356-NOV6 (6686).

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Thanks Juan, the fight does go on after yesterday’s decision. I-166 will appear on the November ballot, and by passing it, the people of Montana will push back against SCOTUS and its Citizens United decision. We need more states to join in this fight so we can build enough of a movement to convince Congress to amend the US Constitution to repair the damage this Court has done. As for how you can help, you can help by promoting the campaign (the campaign website, the Facebook page, and You Tube videos) online through your networks. You can also write a letter to the editor of your local paper. I’m sure the story of the SCOTUS decision made your local news. Finally, we need donations to fund the campaign. Maybe you can make a donation or you know of people who would want to contribute. Thanks again for your support and for volunteering.